Octoclip Knowledge Base
Welcome to the Octoclip Knowledge Base! Here you will find comprehensive guides, feature explanations, and key terminology. Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced user, this resource will help you make the most of Octoclip.
Table of Contents
Key Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clipboard | The system clipboard on your device. |
| Clip | A transient collection of data captured from the clipboard at a single moment. |
| Clip History | A chronological list of clips that you can browse, reuse, or delete. |
| Clip Source | The data source of a clip, typically including clipboard, screenshots, and text messages. |
| Clip Type | The format of the clip data, such as text, image, file, etc. |
| Quick Input | Open the Quick Input panel to select from clip history and paste for use. |
| Quick Input Alias | A prefix + suffix pattern (e.g. :date⎵) used to trigger Quick Input. |
| Nearby Sync | A feature that allows you to share clips with devices on the same local network. |
| Cloud Sync | A feature that synchronizes clips across devices using an anonymous messaging channel. |
| Temporary Clipboard | A scratchpad for short-lived items that expire after a set time. |
| Batch Input | A feature that allows you to paste multiple clips in sequence or as a formatted batch. |
| Plugin | A Rust-based extension that adds functionality to Octoclip. |
| Workflow | A sequence of actions or transformations applied to clips, often using plugins. |
Features
Clipboard & Clip
Octoclip distinguishes between the clipboard (system-level) and a clip (a captured snapshot). This separation allows powerful operations—such as indexing, sharing, and versioning—without interfering with the OS clipboard.
Clip History
Clip History keeps every captured clip for quick retrieval. You can:
- Search or filter by text, type, or source.
- Pin favorites for one-tap access.
- Export clips or share them directly.
Nearby Sync
Synchronise clips over the local network (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, or Thunderbolt) using Bonjour discovery. No account is required.
Quick Copy
Push the current clip to all discovered devices instantly.
Quick Paste
Pull the most recent clip from a nearby device and paste it into the system clipboard. This works across different platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux) and devices (desktop, mobile).
Cloud Sync
For roaming scenarios, Octoclip offers instant cloud sync via an anonymous messaging channel. Devices logged into the same cloud sync account stay in real-time sync even when not on the same network.
Quick Input
Type a trigger and Octoclip autocompletes it with clip content or dynamic data.
Quick Input Alias
Create aliases like :date⎵, :now, or custom snippets (OTP codes, URLs, etc.). Aliases can be managed per device and synced.
Temporary Clipboard
A scratchpad for short-lived items—great for sequential file renaming or one-off formatting tasks. Items expire automatically after a configurable timeout.
Batch Input
Paste multiple clips in sequence or as a formatted batch. Useful for mass-entry workflows (e.g. CSV rows, code blocks).
Plugins & Workflows
Extend Octoclip with Rust-based plugins:
- Transform data (e.g. lowercase, JSON prettify).
- Hook into third-party APIs.
- Automate post-paste actions.
Index & Search
The optional index-and-search module builds a full-text index of clip content (including OCR on images), enabling lightning-fast search with rich filters.
File & System Operations
Open, reveal, share, or select files via a unified Rust library that bridges Finder, Explorer, and common Linux file managers. Desktop versions report anonymous analytics to improve cross-platform performance.
Supported Clip Types
| Category | Notes & Examples |
|---|---|
| Plain Text | UTF-8 strings, markdown, code snippets |
| Rich Text | HTML, RTF, styled content |
| Files | Any file type, folders, symlinks |
| Image | PNG, JPEG, GIF, screenshots |
| Video | MP4, MOV, WebM |
| URL | Hyperlinks, deep-links |
| Color | Hex, RGB(A) swatches |
Note: Some features described above are still under active development and may not yet be available in the current release.